Lot 63A
East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A wonderful ancestral portrait rendered in gouache and ink on a rice paper scroll. The painting depicts a nobleman and a royal lady seated side-by-side on frontally facing thrones, each adorned in ceremonial attire. Commanding a powerful gaze, the male dignitary strokes his long, thin beard, his broad shoulder draped in an aubergine-hued overcoat over navy and marigold colored robes. Alternatively, the bright red robe of the female bares an embroidered insignia that proclaims the couple's rank and status. A plaque between the couple indicates the ancestral lineage and position of the figures depicted. Family members commissioned ancestor portraits to commemorate deceased relatives. These paintings were treated with the greatest respect. On certain holidays, families would honor their ancestors by bowing before the portraits and placing food in front of them. Size of painting: 33.8" W x 52" H (85.9 cm x 132.1 cm); of mounting paper: 40" W x 83" H (101.6 cm x 210.8 cm); of scroll: 43" L x 2.8" W (109.2 cm x 7.1 cm)
If properly cared for, ancestors contributed to wealth and good fortune for their descendants. If ignored, ancestors could turn into nasty ghosts who would bring bad luck.
Ancestor portraits have long been a significant form of art in China, closely tied to the Confucian tradition of ancestor worship. Starting in the 16th century, these portraits were commonly displayed during private family rituals, serving as focal points for offerings and prayers. Typically created by anonymous artists, such works were often composed using pre-existing templates of facial features, clothing, and objects. Although they are not portraits in the Western sense, these paintings reflect the commissioner's intentional selection of furniture and items, offering valuable insights into the tastes and cultural preferences of the era.
Provenance: private Truchas, New Mexico, USA collection
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#189315
- Condition: Professionally remounted in modern times. Age-expected stains, wrinkling, and minor abrasions, but imagery is still very clear. Otherwise, in good condition with nice pigments.
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